Wooden Camera will be incorporated into the Vitec Group’s Creative Solutions business unit, complementing other brands such as Teradek, SmallHD, Paralinx, and Offhollywood.
The Vitec Group PLC, which provides services to the broadcast and photographic markets, on Tuesday said it has acquired US-based Wooden Camera Inc and Wooden Camera Retail Inc for up to $ 35 million in cash. In 2015, Wooden Camera made a $ 2.5 million pretax profit.
Wooden Camera products are known industry-wide as essential items for making cameras more functional and versatile. Their designs span several product categories including baseplates, matte boxes, power distribution, and cages, among other things.
Founded in 2011 by Ryan and Elizabeth Schorman, Wooden Camera became immediately popular in the industry after the launch of their first product, the A-box, which converted the RED Epic’s 3.5mm audio output to XLR and quickly became an indispensable tool on set. All of Wooden Camera’s products are designed, assembled, and shipped from their Dallas, Texas facility, while the Los Angeles location services studios, rental houses, and local production needs.
“Just like their products perfectly fit the modern camera, Wooden Camera fits perfectly into Vitec’s business, right alongside the other game changing brands that have joined us over the past four years,” said Nicol Verheem, CEO of Vitec’s Creative Solutions. “We have fantastic synergy in our products, end-users, channel partners, and even other vendor relationships. Like Teradek, SmallHD, Offhollywood and Paralinx, Wooden Camera is a young, innovative company whose fresh ideas not only make creating content easier, but more affordable. I’m delighted to have Ryan and Elizabeth on board to help lead us towards the future of content creation.”
“We are excited to become part of The Vitec Group and feel that our product line and culture fits perfectly with Vitec’s premium brands. Customers already turn to Wooden Camera when they need to mount a SmallHD monitor, Teradek transmitter, Anton Bauer battery, and other items. Now as an official part of the group, we look forward to many new possibilities,” commented Ryan Shorman, founder of Wooden Camera.